4stan-trip

Kazakhstan - Kyrgyzstan - Uzbekistan - Tajikistan

Duration
16 days
Group size
1-10
Style
Historical
From
1340

Itinerary

Day 1 - Astana

Upon arrival meeting with your guide at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Check in time at 09:00 by local time. After coupe hours free time, sightseeing tour in Astana city. First of all, we start our sightseeing tour by Presidential Park. Presidential Park, one of the largest in the world, is a green oasis in the centre of Astana, complementing the organic unity of the Palace of Peace and Accord and linking with the surrounding residential buildings and Hazrat Sultan Mosque. It is an open space with a variety of grassy surfaces and shallow ponds with typical reed vegetation as well as the dense foliage of tall trees planted on the hills. The central fountain, and the mainstay of the Park, represents the holy bird known as "Samruk". After lunch in one of the capital's restaurants and crossing Ishym river, you will get to the Kazakh Eli Square. There you will visit another unique project - the Palace of Peace and Accord, and also see the extraordinary beauty of Khazret Sultan mosque. Final point of the excursion will be the Palace of Independence, where you can look at the far-reaching plans of the development of Astana in the hall "Layout Astana until 2030". Thus, having made the way from the past to the future through the present, you will understand the fate of this unique city - the pride of modern Kazakhstan. Overnight in Astana.

Day 2 - Astana

Breakfast at the hotel. To understand this wonderful city, you have to take a look at it through the prism of time. The tour starts with visiting historical center of the city. You will see the Constitution Square, National Museum Republic Kazakhstan. At the museum you will see the Golden man, well known not only in the Kazakh steppe but also in all Central Asia. In order to better understand today’s life of the city, you will enter the largest and unique shopping center Khan Shatyr. Then continue walking in Lovers park. Then you take the elevator to the top of the “Astana-Baiterek” monument, where you can admire the magnificent panorama of the Kazakhstan capital from the special observation deck. Overnight in Astana.

Day 3 - Astana – Almaty

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the Airport for flight to Almaty (DV704-08:15/09:40). Upon arrival to Almaty you will be met by local team. You will know more about history and development of the Southern capital of Kazakhstan and see its major attractions. You will visit a popular place for townspeople - the Green Bazaar, where it is impossible to refrain from shopping. It is the great chance to experience an atmosphere of the real eastern market, its colors, smells and crowds. There you can obtain famous Oriental sweets, but don't forget to bargain. Then the tour will continue in one of the oldest Almaty parks - Panfilov Park, where one of the most beautiful wooden building in the world - Zenkov Cathedral is located. You will also visit the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame, Museum of Kazakh Folk Musical Instruments. After exploration of sport, cultural and business areas of the city you will get to the the Central mosque. Next destination is the Kok-Tobe hill where the tallest TV tower in the world is located (if to count from the sea level) and where you will get by the picturesque winding mountain road. In Kok-Tobe Park you can stroll along the winding paths of the park, admire the magnificent panorama of the city from the special observation deck and visit the shop of national souvenirs. The tour ends with the short ride from the top of the hill to the center of the city by the famous Almaty cableway. Overnight in

Day 4 - Almaty – Charyn - Karakol

Breakfast at the hotel. From Almaty, we will drive straight to Charyn Canyon. The walking tour will start in the “Valley of Castles". Even though the Charyn Canyon is much smaller than the Grand Canyon in the US, it looks very similar and is equally impressive. The canyon follows the Charyn river for about 50 kilometers. The walls of the canyon reach up to 300 meters at some point and the colors range from red to brown, yellow and black. It’s a geologist’s dream come true with sedimentary rocks that are about twelve million years old. There is also a large variety of flora and fauna with over 1000 of plants of which 50 are extremely rare and endemic to the area. Wildlife includes foxes, hares, gerbils, eagles, pheasants, snakes and lizards. After lunch drive to Kazakh- Kyrgyz border Kegen. After formalities on the border, head to Karakol City. One stop more on the way to see the stones of Tamerlan. Overnight in Karakol.

Day 5 - Karakol – Jety Oguz – Kochkor

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning visit Dungan mosque, a unique building in a style of the Chinese pagoda which is functioning mosque up to now and Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Church built of wood inside Karakol town. We start our tour from Karakol to Kochkor village along the picturesque south shore of Issyk-Kul lake. A short drive to Jety Oguz gorge. Jety Oguz in Kyrgyz means “Seven Bulls”. This picturesque gorge is named so because of the red rocky sand formations covered with forests of Tien Shan spruces. The next point is Kochkor village. Accommodation and dinner in guesthouse. Overnight in Kochkor.

Day 6 - Kochkor – Son Kul

Breakfast in a guesthouse. Drive to Son Kul lake Upon arrival in Son-Kul, the owners of the yurt camp in Son-Kul will offer us to taste the national drink “Kumys” (Mare’s milk). We will spend afternoon in Son-Kul, we will walk around the area. The shores of the lake are low, swamped, and in some places overgrown with reeds. The lake is glacier-fed and drains into the Son-Kul river and eventually the Naryn river. Ice on the lake is common from late September to late May. Lunch/dinner and stay in yurts (4-6 people in one room). Overnight in Son Kul.

Day 7 - Son Kul - Bishkek – Burana Tower - Tashkent

Breakfast in a guesthouse. Drive to archeological and historical complex Burana. On the place of the Burana Tower there existed Balasagyn, settlement until the XIV-XV centuries. At that time, it had already lost its former meaning. You will be able to stroll through the settlement, where there are also tombstones, balbals, ancient millstones and other objects of household culture, climb the tower and take stunning photos. It is especially beautiful here in spring, when everything starts to burn from poppy blossoming. It incredibly contrasts with the whiteness of the snow-capped Kyrgyz Ridge. Drive back to Bishkek to Airport to catch your flight to Tashkent HY 778, every Monday, Bishkek (FRU) - Tashkent (TAS) 19:50 - 20:10. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at Tashkent.

Day 8 - Tashkent – Urgench - Khiva

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will discover the Uzbek capital city of Tashkent with population over 3,5 million people. Sightseeing tour in old part of Tashkent: Khast Imam Complex, consisting of Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, Barak Khan Madrassah, Friday Mosque and Mui Muborak Madrassah, where you will see the original Quran of Khalif Othman (VIIth century), further we will visit the biggest market of Tashkent oriental buzzing bazaar Chor-Su (handicrafts bazaar). After lunch, sightseeing tour in modern part of Tashkent: beautifully decorated stations of Tashkent subway (Sovietic period Uzbek Architectural style), Mustakillik Square (Independence Square), Amir Temur Square, Theatretical Square and Monument of Courage dedicated to the Earthquake of Tashkent which happened on 26 April of 1966. Evening flight to Urgench, departure time is 19:05, arrival time is 20:35. Transfer to Khiva (30km). Check in to the hotel & overnight at Khiva.

Day 9 - Khiva – Bukhara

Breakfast at the hotel. Sightseeing tour in Khiva: Kunya-Ark fortress, including Kurinish Khana (17c); Mohammed-Amin-Khan (19c) Madrassah, Islam Khodja Minaret; Palvan-Kari complex, Abd Al Bobo complex (18c), Rafanek Madrassah, Mohammed Rakim Khan (19 c), Amir-Tur Madrassah, Sho-I-Kalandar Bobo Mausoleum. After lunch, transfer to Bukhara through Kyzyl-Kum desert. Route will take around 7-8 hours. En route we will have several stops, with panoramique views to plains of desert and the river basin of Oxus (the ancient name of Amu-Daria river). After arrival, check in to the hotel & overnight in Bukhara.

Day 10 - Bukhara

Breakfast at the hotel. Today’s visit is dedicated to discover Holy city of Bukhara, the city tour will be by foot as all monuments are located in close dense area. First we drive to starting point near the city park. Sightseeing tour in Bukhara: Mausoleum of Ismail Samani (9-10c)-vault of Bukhara rulers’ dynasty, Chashma-i-Ayub Mausoleum (14c, St. Job’s well), Bolo-Hauz complex (18 c) consisting of Mosque (where Bukhara emirs used to pray) minaret and khauz (pond), royal fortress Ark (6-16 c) with its high fortification walls. After lunch time, follow our excursion in Bukhara by visiting Poi-Kalyan Ensemble consisting of Minaret Kalon (12c) Djuma Mosque (15c) and functioning Madrassah of Miri-Arab (16 c), Emir-Alim-Khan Madrassah (14c), Ulugbek’s madrassah (15c), Abdulaziz’s (17c) Madrassahs. Medieval trading domes: Toqi Zargaron (jewellers), Toqi Telpak-furushon (cap sellers) and Toqi Sarrafon (money exchangers), Lyab-i-Hauz place (16-17c) consisting of Kukeldash and Nadir Devonbegi Madrassahs (16c, 17c) including Khanaqa (ancient hospice for pilgrims) and khauz (pond) of Nadir Divanbegi, ancient Mosque Magok-i-Attari (16c). Overnight in Bukhara.

Day 11 - Bukhara – Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel. Second day of sightseeing tour out of Bukhara: transfer to Bakhauddin Nakhshbandi complex, Sitora-i-Mohi Khosa last Bukhara Emir’s summer residence (1911) and Chor Bakr mausoleum. Lunch time, then transfer to take a train to Samarkand (there is 2 options, that we can catch: 15:24-16:58/ 15:50-17:20. After arrival transfer to the hotel, check in & overnight in Samarkand.

Day 12 - Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel. Sightseeing tour in Samarkand: Gur-Emir Mausoleum (15c), Registan Ensemble (including Ulugbek (15c), Shir Dor (17c), Tillya –Kari Madrassahs (17c), Bibi Khanum Mosque and one of the biggest oriental bazaars Siab market. After lunch, second part of our excursion in Samarkand by visiting Shah-i-Zinda complex (14-15c), Mirzo Ulugbek’s observatory (15c) and Saint Daniel’s tomb, Meros Paper Mill Konigil (famous Samarkand silk paper workshop). Overnight in Samarkand.

Day 13 - Samarkand – Seven Lakes – Fan Mountain - Penjikent

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border point Jartepa (50km, -1 hour). Customs and passport control on both sides, cross the border, meet Tajik local guide and driver and drive to Seven Lakes (80 km, 1.5-2h.). The Seven Lakes are located in the west of Fann mountains; each of them has its own colour which varies from calming turquoise to mesmerizing purple. At the last lake of Khoazorchashma you will enjoy a picnic. After lunch drive to Penjikent. Sightseeing in Penjikent: Rudaki Museum, local Bazaar and mosque. Visit ancient Penjikent located within 5 minutes drive from modern Penjikent. Penjikent was a major Sogdian city dating back to the 5th century and was destroyed by Arab conquerors in the 8th century. Overnight in Penjikent.

Day 14 - Penjikent - Khujand

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Khujand 260km, 4 hours. Start sightseeing Khujand. You will explore the Sughd Historical Museum, Timur-Malik Fortress, Mosque and Madrasah of Shaikh Muslihiddin, Payshanba Bazaar. You will try delicious Tajik cuisine at the local restaurant. Overnight in Khujand.

Day 15 - Khujand – Istaravshan – Dushanbe

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Istaravshan to visit local bazaar, Hazrat Shah architectural complex, which consists of Hazrat Shah Mausoleum, the grave of brother of Kusam ibn Abbas, Khudayar Valami Mausoleum, and Namazgah Mosque dating back to 19 C. Continue to Mug Teppe, one of the ancient settlements located in Istaravshan. The city is believed to be founded by King Cyrus in the North-East boundary of his empire. Drive further to visit Ismoili Somoni Squrae, Rudaki Park, Independence Square in Dushanbe city the capital of Tajikistan. Overnight in Dushanbe.

Day 16 - Departure

Breakfast at the hotel or farewell lunch box from the hotel. Transfer to the International airport of Dushanbe city. We wish to you a pleasant flight, and hope that your Central Asia trip will be remembered for a lifetime.

What's included / excluded

The tour price includes

  • Accommodation on DBL/TWIN sharing
  • All government taxes paid at the hotels
  • Meals: Breakfasts only, and mentioned meals on the program
  • All airport transfers and tour on comfortable transport, 4WD cars where needed
  • Entrance tickets to museums and sightseeing’s specified in the program
  • Air tickets: Bishkek –Tashkent, Tashkent – Urgench
  • Train tickets: Samarkand – Tashkent
  • Visa support for Uzbekistan double entry
  • Tajikistan e-visa
  • English speaking guide services
  • Water 1 bottle 1,5L per day

The tour price doesn't include

  • International air tickets
  • extra charges in airport
  • personal expenses
  • Full board (lunches & dinners)
  • camera and video charges
  • tips for guide & driver
  • personal travel insurance
  • visa support for Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan tourist visas (60USD)
  • consular fee for the visas

Trip map

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PACKING CHECKLIST

Documents:

Passport, flight ticket (printed or electronic), insurance, visa (if required).

First aid kit:

bandaids / plasters, special medicine or drugs in permanent use, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, lip balm.

Essentials:

Credit/debit cards, cash (cards can be used in city, cash in regions), moneybelt, laptop/tablet/phone, chargers, camera with extra memory cards and batteries, outlet adapter.

Dressing:

There are no restrictions regarding clothes; scarf or shawl is advisable for churches.